FLEXIBLE MICROCIRCUITS FOR INTERNAL LIGHT THERAPY

A plurality of embodiments for a flexible probe used to provide photodynamic therapy (PDT) and to effect other medical procedures at an internal treatmen t site inside a patient's body. Each of the embodiments of the flexible probe (100, 108, 130, 158, 182, 190, 220, 280, 370, 390, 440, 460, 520) includes a flexible substrate (102, 184, 196, 222, 250, 282, 412, 462, 482, 502, 522) o n which are disposed conductive traces (414, 466, 468, 488, 490, 504, 506, 524 , 526) electrically connected to leads through which electrical current and signals are conveyed. A plurality of light sources (104, 192, 256, 286, 418, 436, 470, 492, 508, 542) or other micro-electronic circuits are connected to the conductive traces and mounted on the flexible substrate. Each of the embodiments of the flexible probes is enclosed within a transparent, biocompatible polymer envelope (106, 110, 464, 522). Due to the characterist ic elastic properties of the flexible substrate, the flexible probe can readily be bent, folded or rolled while being disposed at the internal treatment sit e. Thus, for example, a curved surgical needle (650) can be used to implant a flexible probe at the treatment site by drawing the flexible probe through tissue along a curved path to a desired position; one or more disk-shaped buttons (660, 670) that are attached to the ends of the flexible probe can b e used to secure the flexible probe so that it does not move from the desired position.